The UST Male Tennisters battled back from the edge and toppled defending champions National University (NU), 3-2, in a do-or-die semifinal to secure a spot in the UAAP Season 88 men’s tennis finals on Sunday, March 22, at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court.
A day after being swept in the series opener, UST overcame an early two-match hole, relying on its doubles pairs to complete the turnaround.
“‘Yong laro ng players, pinakita nila ‘yong puso na talagang kahit gaano kahirap manalo, pinakita nila na talagang gusto nilang maglaro sa finals,” UST head coach Alexander Diego told the Varsitarian. “‘Yong naging laro nila kanina is more about ‘yung puso at utak na talaga.”
The Bulldogs dropped the opening two matches, with Alexis Acabo overpowering UST rookie Evan Bacalso, 6-4, 6-0, in the third singles, before Andrei Padao handed Ericjay Tangub a 6-2, 6-4 defeat in the first singles.
With their campaign on the line, the Male Tennisters drew a spark from Christopher Sonsona.
“Sinabihan namin si [Sonsona] na kailangan niyang buhayin ulit ‘yong team, kasi ‘yong pressure doon sobrang taas na, kasi nga one more win na lang [ang kailangan ng] NU… At least hindi siya bumigay at binuhos niya rin lahat,” Diego said.
Sonsona defeated Jules Lazaro, 6-2, 6-4, in the second singles, delivering a crucial win that shifted momentum heading into the doubles matches.
Nash Agustines and Richard Bautista dominated Christian Padilla and Miguel Vicencio, 6-0, 6-4, in the first doubles to level the tie at 2-2 and force a winner-take-all decider.
In the deciding match, Al-Zayeed Baid and Steven Sonsona kept their composure and outlasted Angil Balaoing and Isaac Lim, 7-5, 6-3, to punch UST’s ticket to the finals.
The win served as redemption for the Male Tennisters, who were defeated by NU in last season’s championship.
UST advanced to its fourth straight finals and will face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. Game 1 is set for Wednesday, March 25, at the same venue.
